What do you think when you hear of taking care of the teeth? Well, you could be among the many people who just think of at-home oral care practices such as brushing and flossing. While these practices are vital in maintaining overall dental health, you will need an oral surgery procedure at some point. For example, if you have impacted teeth that heighten the risk of gum diseases and tooth decay, it is recommended to seek the surgical removal of such teeth. The procedure may sound frightening, especially if you have never undergone oral surgery. That is why Dr. Scott Young shares preparation tips below for a better experience before, during, and after the surgery.
Ask Questions
Before the appointment, you could have many queries concerning oral surgery. It is not always possible to recall every question, especially during the appointment day. Therefore, it is necessary to list the important questions on a single leaf and present them to your surgeon before the procedure. This way, you will understand what to expect during the procedure, thus reducing the anxiety that you could have.
Fast
Depending on the dental concerns, your oral surgeon will apply anesthesia during the procedure to alleviate discomfort. While the anesthesia helps you to feel relaxed, these products can increase the likelihood of aspiration in which the stomach contents get their way to the lungs. Therefore, you should not eat anything for at least twelve hours before oral surgery.
Wear the Comfortable Outfit
You do not want to give the specialists headaches when administering Intravenous (IV) fluids. Therefore, you should be dressed in loose-fitting clothes and short-sleeved shirts. The loose-fitting clothes will also help the nurses to monitor vital body parameters such as blood pressure during the surgery.
Discuss Your Medication
Some medications can pose a threat to your oral surgery procedure. For example, anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen can increase the chances of excessive bleeding during surgery. Other medications like neuromuscular blockers can react adversely with the anesthesia exposing you to health complications.
After revealing your medications to the surgeon, they recommend skipping any medications with potential side effects during and after surgery.
Limit the Alcohol Consumption
Alcohol is among the leading blood-thinner agents. Alcohol intake before oral surgery should be avoided to minimize the risk of excessive bleeding. Also, stopping alcohol consumption before the procedure would keep your immunity intact, thus boosting your recovery after the oral surgery.
Plan for the Ride
The anesthetic effects, like drowsiness, do not always withdraw immediately after the surgery. Consequently, it becomes difficult for the patients to drive themselves back home. Therefore, you should request your friend to accompany you for your surgery for a safe ride after the procedure.
Oral surgery procedures are vital for alleviating dental concerns such as impacted wisdom teeth. However, not everyone will be ready to undergo this procedure due to anxiety and worries. Fortunately, by making the appropriate preparations, you can ease the anxiety and boost your experience during oral surgery. For example, you should ask questions about what to expect during the surgery. Also, it would be best if you avoided the intake of the alcoholic compound to minimize excessive bleeding during the procedure.